Fire
Destruction and recovery of inland and coastal waterways
We have:
- conducted before and after instream surveys
- monitored species recovery
- prioritised short term and long term habitat improvement
Aquatic habitat assessment after the 2009 fires
The headwaters of streams in Kinglake National Park, Melbourne’s water supply and the Bunyip State Forest were burnt in the fires of February 2009. Surveys were made to determine aquatic fauna survival immediately after the fires and recovery of ecosystems one year later.
River assessment after the 2006-2007 fires
Four catchments areas were affected. The North Central CMA, Goulburn Broken CMA, East Gippsland CMA and West Gippsland CMA. Broad scale assessment of fish populations in burnt river systems was made. A combination of drought, fire, and then flood caused the loss of fish diversity in many of the surveyed waters.
